"WHERE THERE ARE MANY POOR, THE RICH CANNOT LONG OR SAFELY CONTINUE": FIRST EDITIONS OF NICHOLLS' HISTORIES OF THE ENGLISH, SCOTTISH, AND IRISH POOR LAWS, IN ORIGINAL CLOTH

NICHOLLS, George. A History of the English Poor Law, in Connexion with the Legislation and Other Circumstances Affecting the Condition of the People. WITH: A History of the Scotch Poor Law, in Connexion with the Condition of the People. WITH: A History of the Irish Poor Law, in Connexion with the Condition of the People. London: John Murray, 1854, 1856. Four volumes. Octavo, original purple cloth, uncut and unopened.

First editions of these histories of the English, Scottish, and Irish poor laws, written by a leading 19th-century Malthusian poor law reformer and discussing the history of welfare laws and other relief initiatives, in original cloth.

Written in his retirement, these works on the poor laws of English, Scotland, and Ireland are the final writings on the poor laws by reformer George Nicholls. "All of these books are useful compendia of information" (DNB). Though he did not begin his career working with the poor, Nicholls fancied himself something of a do-gooder and developed an interest in the poor laws. In the early 19th century, the poor laws—those laws relating to the welfare of the poor—were considered to be in crisis. Authors such as Malthus had taken up the cause and it became a widely discussed social issue. Nicholls was an avid reader of the many pamphlets and books about the poor laws and he, like many others, became convinced that the laws were to blame for the "pauperization" of society. As it was the 19th century and Nicholls did not need actual credentials, he was able to secure a job as overseer of the poor. He soon became known as one of the Nottinghamshire Reformers due to the fact he turned the area into a laboratory for experimenting with the poor laws. He didn't believe in outdoor relief, allowances, or any type of monetary relief, so he did away with it. Instead, he introduced what he felt was the greatest innovation of all time: the workhouse. By making poverty so punishing and horrible that no one would want to be poor, Nicholls was convinced that the poor would figure out how to stop being poor. In a letter to the Nottingham Journal he explained that the genius of his plan was that the workhouse would be "the most harsh and unkind friend that they can apply to and whose aid they cannot receive without sacrificing a large portion of their independence and self respect." Therefore, only the most destitute would apply. Nicholls was sure he had come up with a truly great idea. So was the British government. Eventually, his reforms went national. When Ireland seemed in need of a bit of reform, he was given free reign over Ireland. Sadly, he found the experience in Ireland unrewarding (though presumably not as unrewarding as impoverished Irish people did). A stroke prevented Nicholls from exporting his idea globally—at least personally—but it left him with the leisure time to write these works in which he chronicles the history of the poor laws in England, Scotland, and Ireland, offering commentary and justification for many of the Malthusian beliefs that led to the workhouses. Armorial bookplates.

Interiors generally fine, light foxing to original cloth, spines toned to brown. A near-fine set.